Drouin resident and University of the Third Age Baw Baw member Gerhard 'Gerd' Theile celebrated his 90th birthday recently at the group's literary luncheon, with plenty of reason to think about his long journey to this point.
Originally from Germany, Gerd worked as a machine builder, designing and building food processing equipment for a biscuit and chocolate manufacturing company.
He moved to Australia at age 23 to be in Melbourne for the 1956 Summer Olympics, with the intention of moving back after two years. As luck would have it, he would end up meeting a young teacher named Margaret Swift, marrying her in in 1963 and leading him to remain in in his new country and become a naturalised Australian.
Gerd then took on a number of job changes, as well as a few adventures of his own. During this time, he took up hiking, making a variety of journeys that included climbing in the Himalayas and a trek from Bolivia to Peru.
Since then Gerd and Margaret have had three children together before their retirement. The couple now live in Drouin. Gerd currently spends his time between the U3A Baw Baw, the Baw Baw Singers, and the Baw Baw Woodworking Club, as well as writing an updated version of his memoirs.